Tony Pulis flying to China to hold talks over West Brom's transfer budget

Tony Pulis is flying out to China in May to hold talks over West Brom's transfer budget for next season.

Pulis will make a special trip to meet Albion owner Guochuan Lai at the end of the season, with two strikers understood to be a priority amid doubts over the long-term future of £12million signing Salomon Rondon.

Albion are on course for their best ever Premier League points total and Pulis is drawing up a shortlist of targets to present to Lai, who completed his £175million takeover in September.

Rondon's future is uncertain, with interest from overseas and super-rich clubs in China, but Pulis is keen to bring in firepower regardless as he bids to further strengthen his squad.

After the £12million sale of Saido Berahino to Stoke City in January, Albion are short on attacking options and the club are determined to address the situation.

Christian Benteke, the Belgium international, is admired by Pulis but any move now appears unlikely following the Welshman's acrimonious departure from Crystal Palace and the subsequent court battle.

But Pulis will hold talks with Lai shortly after the end of the campaign to discover the size of the budget available for next season.

Albion shattered their transfer record last summer to sign Nacer Chadli from Tottenham Hotspur for £13million, while £10million was spent on Hull City midfielder Jake Livermore in January.

Pulis is also poised to sign a contract extension, with talks on hold until the end of the season.

Gareth McAuley, the Northern Ireland international, has agreed a new 12-month deal to take him past his 38th birthday while West Brom are also in talks with defender Craig Dawson. Albion are currently eighth in the table and face Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend.